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ROLE OF BROADCASTING CORPORATION (TELEVISION) IN THE RURAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The mass media perform a number of functions in every society. In performing its functions they do not work in isolation of their own but work hand in hand with other social institutions like family, religions institutions, educational institutions, economic institutions and cultural institutions. This work is on the role that Imo Broadcasting Corporation (Television) play in the educational development of Emekuku in Imo State.

The Mass Media beyond being a socializing agency, Umechukwu, (200,p.21) made us to understand that the mass media with their incalculable potentials, derived fundamentally from their transitional roles of education, entertainment, cultural transmission and surveillance of the society.

Okunna (1999, p.108) in her reflections on the social functions of the mass media maintains that mass media as a socializing, agency work closely with other socializing agencies like family, church, school and the peer groups through the process of socialization, the individual is made aware of the value, norms, and acceptable behavioural patterns of the society, they provide a common body of knowledge, the internization of which enables people to operate as effective members of the society.

The invention of television had a very good influence as a medium towards information, dissemination, education and entertainment; that is why scholars like Gebner (2000, p.21) went into intense study to find out its effect on the viewers, Murrow, (1998, p. 90) states that this instrument can teach, it can illuminate, it can even inspire, but to the extent that human beings are determined to use it to those ends otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box, this tells us that though television is powerful, we can only harness its powers through effective use.

Another role which the television play especially in rural development is on influencing and shaping our behavioural patterns. Virtually no aspect of our habits, desires and relationships both as individuals and as groups escape examinations in our public media, getting along with neighbours, personal problems and our taste in popular music, social and religious tensions, athletics and trends in fashion among others are constantly reported and discussed in the press, book, television and radio programmes.

It is known that rural communication in Nigeria have always been a beacon of hope throughout history in Nigeria and has always sustained the urban communities but yet the hope of the rural communities is yet increasing everyday as regard to Emekuku, in Owerri, Imo state, 80% of people in Emekuku uses television and this constitutes more to rural educational development.

In spite of this, the contribution of rural communities have not received the adequate attention which they deserve although the government is doing everything within its power to see that this situation is uplifted, government has also realized that it has not been making effective use of the television as a means of reaching out to the rural community education development even with regards to Emekuku, in Owerri, Imo State.

This has invariably constituted a serious impediment to systematic development in the nation because rural education development remains the spring board for state and national development in the education sector. Again, Nwosu (1990, p.2) maintain that communication is central to rural and national development and that is a catalytic effect to the development of other sectors of the economy and it should never be neglected, this means that Imo Broadcasting Corporation Television (IBC TV) should be concerned with the education development of the people of Emekuku rural community and should realize the ubiquities nature of communication media of the television and employ them all in their Television educational programmes both during conception, planning and execution and they should involve the community concerned.

It is important therefore to investigate the affairs of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation Television (IBC TV) and the role it plays in enhancing the educational development of the people in Emekuku, Owerri, Imo State.

1.2 Statement of the problem

In this information age that sees communication as a vital instrument, the relevance which Television has been playing has not been encouraging in the context of rural development in Nigeria. Even in a rural community like Emekuku area of Imo State where Television is partially unavailable, information cannot be shared among the people who cannot understand English but through only viewing the Television and yet they maintain a stable system of living. Most rural areas are devoid of social infrastructure which could have made life more comfortable to the rural dwellers. This situation can be traced to the failure of the government to help the masses in the rural areas.

Majidian (1977, p.22) opines that although the technology of communication provides unparallel opportunities for economic, political, educational and cultural development. Its potential national development will remain unrealized unless it performs its roles effectively. The problem of this study can be deduced from the fore said of national Population reside in rural areas. The rural areas are characterized by depressing annual income, poverty and penury manifested by widespread hunger, malnutrition, lack of access to formal and informal education. The mass media are mostly urban based then rightly accursed to its rural areas as rightly observed, the kind of mass communication system in some developing countries which is urban concentrated have invalidated that so much quest for New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) which is the call by third world country of the rejuvenation of this nature to ascertain the relevance of mass communication in rural education development. Therefore, the problem of this research is, how can Imo Broadcasting corporation (Television) promote the rural education development in Emekuku?

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main objective of this study is to find out the role Imo Broadcasting Corporation Television (IBC TV) play in the rural education development of Emekuku community in Imo State, it also has the following objectives;

1. To investigate the role of Television Broadcasting in Rural Education of Emekuku people.

2. To evaluate the role of IBC media in Education.

3. To identify problems involved in the use of Television Broadcast for rural education.

4. To suggest solutions for the problems of broadcasting in Emekuku.

1.4 Research Questions

1. To what extent has the Rural Television Broadcasting helped Emekuku people?

2. Does IBC play any role in educational development of Emekuku in Owerri?

3. What are the problems involved in the use of Television Broadcast for rural education?

4. What are the solutions for the problems of broadcasting in Emekuku?

1.5 Scope of the study

The scope of my study revolves around the Role of Imo Broadcasting Corporation (TV) in the rural education development of Emekuku people in Owerri, Imo State.

1.6 Significance of the study

The ultimate goal of this study is to discuss extensively the specific role of Imo Broadcasting Corporation Television play in the rural education development of Emekuku area of Imo State, in this case, the study promises to be of immense value not only to the government and its functionaries but also to the business men and investors who will be coming up with tapping abundant natural resources in Emekuku area of Imo state. This study being a relatively exploratory and pioneering work on the area will equally help prompt further researchers on exploring other roles and functions that Imo Broadcasting Corporation Television (IBC TV) and the several tiers of government can play in the rural education development of Emekuku in Owerri, Imo State.

1.7 Operational definition of significant terms

1.7.1 Role: This means the part or functions, somebody or something can play in the growth of something.
1.7.2 Mass Media: E.g. Radio, Television, Newspaper, they are used to reach many people at the same time.
1.7.3 Rural Area: An area like Emekuku, it is not developed.
1.7.4 Development: It means growth and progress in an area e.g Emekuku area of Imo State.

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